Apparatus for use in the make-up of tube fittings

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for use in the make-up of tube fittings of the type wherein ferrules are cammed radially inwardly into engagement with a tube by means of a coupling nut and a camming mouth of a fitting body. The apparatus is comprised of an arbor having a constrictable head and a plurality of groups of generally annular tube fitting elements arranged in coaxial relation on the arbor. Each group of elements comprises two diverse and cooperating ferrules arranged in a particular sequence on the arbor. Upon constricting the head of the arbor a group of ferrules may be passed over the head and assembled in a tube fitting.

United States Patent [1 1 Zahuranec et al.

[ 1 Nov. 20, 1973 APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE MAKE-UP OF TUBE FITTINGS [75]Inventors: Emery J. Zahuranec, Solon; Ross E.

Barth, Euclid, both of Ohio Related US. Application Data [62] Divisionof Ser. No. 812,118, April 1, 1969,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 206/46 H, 29/212 R, 29/237, 29/241, 29/433, 206/56 AC,206/65 K, 221/312 R [51] Int. Cl 865d 85/00 [58] Field of Search 29/428,433, 212 R,

29/237, 453, 241; 221/312 R, 312 A, 312 C; 53/26; 206/65, 65 K, 56 AC,46 H 3,053,384 9/1962 Loomis 206/46 1-1 3,103,373 9/1963 Lennon eta1.... 285/3827 X 3,168,774 2/1965 Valkening 206/46 11 X 1,590,5916/1926 Steffes 29/212 R UX 1,484,610 2/1924 Meyers 29/453 UX 3,228,5551/1966 Pinto 221/312 X 3,464,590 9/1969 Giannettino 221/312 X FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 551,823 1/1958 Canada 206/56 AC PrimaryExaminerCharlie T. Moon Attorney-Fay, Sharpe and Mulholland [5 7ABSTRACT An apparatus for use in the make-up of tube fittings of thetype wherein ferrules are cammed radially inwardly into engagement witha tube by means of a coupling nut and a camming mouth of a fitting body.The apparatus is comprised of an arbor having a constrictable head and aplurality of groups of generally annular tube fitting elements arrangedin coaxial relation on the arbor. Each group of elements comprises twodiverse and cooperating ferrules arranged in a particular sequence onthe arbor. Upon constricting the head of the arbor a group of ferrulesmay be passed over the head and assembled in a tube fitting.

7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PAIENTEnHuvmms 3,77

INVENTORS EMERY J. ZAHURANEC BY ROSS E. BARTH ATTORNEYS.

APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE MAKE-UP F TUBE FITTINGS REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATION This application is a division of application Ser. No.812,118 filed Apr. 1,1969.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus foruse in the make-up of a tube fitting. More particularly, this inventionrelates to an apparatus for use in the make-up of assembly of a tubefitting of the type wherein a ferrule is cammed radially inwardly intoengagement with a tube by means of a coupling nut and a camming mouth ofa fitting body.

In US. Pat. No. 3,103,373 to Lennon et al, there is disclosed in FIG. 1a controlled phase sequential gripping device comprising a couplingbody, a coupling nut, and a pair of ferrules. The coupling body includesa camming mouth such that as the coupling nut is threadedly advancedupon the coupling body, the ferrules are sequentially cammed radiallyinwardly into contact with the external surface of the tube. Themovement of the ferrules swages the surface of the tube into a gentlepattern of annular ridges and valleys which prevents withdrawal of thetube from the coupling body. At the same time, the wedging of theferrules tightly between the surface of the tube and the surface of thecamming mouth of the coupling body establishes a seal effective againstextremely high pressures and ultra-high vacuums as well.

This invention is directed to an apparatus for use in the make-up oftube fittings such as are shown in FIG. 1 of US. Pat. No. 3,103,373.More broadly, this invention is directed to an apparatus for storing anddispensing annular elements manufactured from relatively rigid materialsuch as metal, plastic or the like. It is therefore understood thatwhereas the preferred embodiment of this invention is shown anddescribed with reference to ferrules for use in tube couplings, theinvention should not be considered as limited thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Briefly described, the apparatus ofthis invention comprises an elongated shaft having an outside dimensionslightly less than the inside diameter of a pipe fitting ferrule adaptedto be received thereon. A fixed abutment integral with said shaft isdefined at one end thereof and has a transverse dimension exceeding theinternal diameter of the ferrule. The opposite end of the shaft isdefined by a protuberance which is slotted. The transverse cross sectionof the protuberance is generally elliptical in shape with a major andminor axis. The length of the minor axis is substantially equal to orless than the inside diameter of the ferrule whereas the length of themajor axis is greater than the inside diameter of the ferrule. The slotin the protuberance permits a constriction thereof whereby the majoraxis of the elliptical cross section of the protuberance may beshortened to permit passage of a ferrule about the protuberance.

The method of assembly of a tube fitting of this invention comprises thesteps of:

a. providing a ferrule carrying arbor including an elongated shaft aboutwhich a plurality of ferrules are disposed, the arbor having an enlargedconstrictable head portion;

b. positioning said arbor adjacent the camming mouth of the fittingbody; c. withdrawing said arbor while permitting at least one ferrule topass over said head; d. advancing a coupling nut onto the fitting body.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view, partly inlongitudinal section, of a tube coupling employing ferrules to be storedand dispensed according to the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the ferrule holding apparatus of thisinvention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view in enlarged scale and taken along the line 4--4 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a modified form of the ferrule holdingapparatus of this invention;

FIG. 6 is an end view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an end view similar to FIG. 6 of a modified form of theferrule holding apparatus of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is an end view in enlarged scale and taken along line 8-8 of FIG.5.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawing,FIG. 1 shows a pipe or tube coupling generally indicated at W includinga coupling body 12 which may be provided intermediate its ends with toolpads 14 or other wrench engaging surfaces. The coupling body 12 isprovided with a substantially cylindrical passageway indicated generallyat 16. A coaxial counterbore 18 is provided in the coupling body for thepurpose of receiving a tube 22. A shoulder 20 is defined in the couplingbody as a stop for the end of tube 22.

The counterbore 18 at its outer terminal portion is provided with acoaxial annular tapered or conical camming mouth 24. Camming mouth 24 isdefined at an included angle with respect to the coupling axis fromabout 30 to about 50, the preferred included angle being about 40 inmagnitude. A coupling nut 30 having female threads 28 thereon is adaptedto engage coupling body 12 at the threaded portion 26.

A pair of ferrules 42, 44 are interposed in the space defined by thecamming mouth 24 and the coupling nut 30 such that as the coupling nutis threadedly advanced upon the coupling body 12, the back ferrule 44drives the front ferrule 42 into the camming mouth 24 of the couplingbody 12. As this occurs, the ferrules are sequentially cammed radiallyinwardly against the external surface of the tube 22. The movement ofthe ferrules swages the surface of the tube into a gentle pattern ofannular ridges and valleys which prevents withdrawal of the tube fromthe body. At the same time, the wedging of the front and back ferrulestightly between the surface of the tube and the surface of the cammingmouth establishes a seal effective against extremely high pressures andultra-high vacuums as well.

This invention is directed to an apparatus for storing and dispensingferrules such as those shown at 42, 44 of FIG. ll.

Previous to this invention, ferrules manufactured and sold by theassignee of this application for use in tube couplings have been shippedand stored in bags. Bag storage of ferrules has been less thansatisfactory for a number of reasons. The ferrules themselves aresubject to damage as they are intermingled in a single bag and thus arein constant contact with each other. As the ferrules are manufacturedunder close tolerances, scratching and/or denting of the ferrules whenstored in a loose condition in the bag could have an adverse effect onthe sealing qualities of the tube joint of which the ferrules eventuallybecome a part. Further, the loose storage of ferrules in bags increasesthe inventory problem in that the ferrules must be individually countedfor purposes of shipping, billing, inventory control and the like.

This invention provides an apparatus for shipping, storing anddispensing ferrules in a manner that minimizes Contact of the ferruleswith each other thus minimizing scratching and denting of the ferrules.This invention further provides an apparatus for displaying ferrules ina manner so as to minimize counting and inventory control of theferrules.

There is shown in HQ. 2 one form of the ferrule hold ing apparatus ofthis invention comprising a ferrule holding arbor 46 for the purpose ofreceiving thereon a plurality of ferrules 42 44. Ferrules 42, 44 arediverse and cooperating and thus must be assembled in the tube fittingin the sequence shown in H6. 1. The ferrule holding arbor 46 iscomprised of an elongated shaft portion 48 and an end abutment 50. Asshown in FIG. 3, the elongated shaft 18 of PK]. 2 is generally cruciformin cross section being defined by a pair of intersecting webs 52, 54. Areinforcing rib 53 is provided at the head or protuberance d. Thetransverse dimension of the elongated shaft portion 48 of MG. 2 isslightly less than the internal diameter of the ferrules 42, 44 adaptedto be received thereon.

As shown in H6. 2, the end abutment is an integral portion of theelongated shaft 48 and is of a transverse dimension exceeding theinternal diameter of the ferrules such that the ferrules will not slippast the end portion of the arbor. The end abutment 58 of Fit]. 2. maytake many forms including but not limited to the integral constructionof H6. 2. Thus, the end abutment 50 could also be defined by a pintransversely received in the shaft 48 and having a transverse dimensionexceeding the internal diameter of the ferrules. Alternately, the endabutment 50 could take the form of a cap element which may be releasablyattached to the shaft 48 by means of screw threads or other fasteningmeans well known to those skilled in the art.

A removable end abutment 58 has a distinct advantage in that the arbormay be more readily loaded with ferrules during packaging without thenecessity of passing each ferrule over the head or protuberance S6.

The opposite end of the ferrule holding arbor 46 is defined by a head orprotuberance 56 including a transversely extending slot 5%. A pair oftapered surfaces bil 62 (FIG. 2, H6. 3) are defined in the webs 52, 54for a purpose to be described more fully hereafter.

As is shown more clearly in FlG. protuberance 56 is generally ellipticalin cross section having a minor axis a" and a major axis b". The lengthof the minor axis a is slightly less than the internal diameter of theferrules. The length of the major axis 19 slightly exceeds the internaldiameter of the ferrules. The slot 58, however, permits the length ofthe major axis b to be shortened as the resilient legs 64, 66 of theprotuberance are cam med toward one another along the major axis b" ofHG. 4i. The slot 58 may be effectively closed through a camming actionon the resilient legs 64, 66. The resulting cross section of thecollapsed protuberance 56 is very nearly that of a circle having adiameter a slightly less than the internal diameter of the ferrules. inthis state, the ferrules are free to pass over the protuberance to beeither stored on the ferrule holding arbor or to be taken from thearbor.

in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2, the entire ferrule holding arbor46 including the elongated shaft portion 48, the end abutment 50 and theprotuberance 56 is of one-piece plastic construction. Within the scopeof this invention should be considered a wide variety of yieldablematerials such as nylon or soft metals. As was previously pointed out,the end abutment 50 may be releasably secured to the shaft portion 48.Similarly, the protuberance 56 may be releasably attached to the shaft418.

Since tube couplings are manufactured in a variety of sizes, thetransverse dimension of the shaft 48 of H6. 2 may vary depending uponthe size of the fitting in which the ferrules to be stored are designedto be used. The length of the shaft portion 43 is such as to provideenough space for storing a predetermined number of ferrules so that forshipping purposes, billing purposes and so on, all that need to be doneis to count the number of ferrule holding arbors and multiply by thenumber of ferrules each arbor is designed to carry.

MG. 5 shows a modified form of the ferrule holding arbor of thisinvention. Thus, as is shown in H6. 5, a ferrule holding arbor 68 iscomprised of a generally elongated shaft portion 70, an end abutment 72,and a protuberance '74. The shaft 70 of FIG. 5 is generally cylindricalin shape having a cross-sectional diameter slightly less than that ofthe ferrules to be received thereon. A bore 71 is provided at one end ofshaft 70 for the purpose of receiving a spike, nail or other supportmember in the event it is desirable to stand the arbor 68 on endabutment 72 for storage or loading of the arbor on a bench or wallsurface.

The end abutment 72 is defined as an end flange on the shaft 7t) and isintegral therewith. As was previously pointed out, the end abutment 7 2may take many forms including a pin extending transversely through theend portion of the shaft "ill or a cap attached to the end portion ofthe shaft '76 by means of screw threads or other attaching means wellknown to those skilled in the art.

As is more clearly shown in H0. 6, the protuberance 74 is generallyelliptical in section having a minor axis a and a major axis 2;. A slot76 extends transversely through the protuberance parallel to the minoraxis thereof. The length of the minor axis a of FIG. 6 is slightly lessthan the internal diameter of the ferrules. The length of the major axisb of FIG. 6 slightly exceeds the internal diameter of the ferrules suchthat by construction of the protuberance 74 (thereby tending to closethe slot 76) the length of the major axis b is shortened therebychanging the cross-sectional shape of the protuberance from an ellipseto a circle having a diameter a slightly less than the internal diameterof the ferrules. Such a constriction of the protuberance 74 through aninward camming of the resilient legs 78, 80 permits the ferrules to passover the protuberance to be either stored about the shaft 70 or removedfrom the ferrule holding arbor.

in FlG. 7, a modified form of the protuberance of the ferrule holdingarbor 688 of FIG. is shown. The protuberance of lFlG. 7 is generallycircular in cross section and includes a pair of intersecting slots 82,84. These slots 82, 84 generally define four resilient legs 86, 88, 90and 92 in the protuberance. As will be noted from FIG. 7, thecross-sectional diameter of the protuberance exceeds the internaldiameter of the ferrules. Through inward camming of the resilient legs86, 88, 90, 92, however, the effective diameter of the protuberance maybe decreased until it is slightly less than the internal diameter of theferrules. The ferrules may thereafter pass over the protuberance toeither be stored on the ferrule holding arbor or released therefrom.

In FIG. 8, an'end view of the ferrule arbor of FIG. 5 is shown. Bore 71is defined on the axis of shaft 70 and intersects end abutment 72. Thearbor may thus be supported on a bench or wall surface as by disposingthe shaft 70 about a spike, nail or other projection having a transversedimension slightly less than the diameter of bore 7!.

Throughout the description of the ferrule holding arbor of thisinvention and the modifications thereof, the respective protuberance ofeach embodiment has been described with reference to either a singleslot or a pair of intersecting slots. Within the scope of this inventionshould be considered structures utilizing a plurality of the slots whichmay or may not intersect and may or may not be coincident with an axisof the protuberance. Since the function of the slots in the protuberanceis to permit a constriction of the protuberance to thereby shorten atransverse dimension of the protuberance, the slot or slots may belocated in various positions normal to the axis of the longesttransverse dimension.

The method of dispensing ferrules from the ferrule holding arbor of thisinvention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5. It willbe noted that the protuberance of FIG. 2 includes tapered surfaces 60and 62 whereas the protuberance 74 of FIG. 5 in cludes tapered surfaces78 and 80. When it is desired to place ferrules from the ferrule holdingarbor into a fitting body, the tapered surfaces of the protuberance ofthe ferrule holding arbor are brought into abutment with the flaredmouth or camming mouth of the fitting. Such a camming mouth is shown at24 in FIG. 1. Movement of the ferrule holding arbor into engagement witha respective camming mouth produces an inward camming of the resilientlegs toward one another permitting either a single ferrule or a pair offerrules to be slid over the protuberance into the fitting mouth. Thearbor is withdrawn and the coupling nut such as 30 in FIG. l is thenadvanced along the threads on the end of the coupling body 12 tocomplete the assembly. Thus the same camming mouth 24;, FIG. ll, of thefitting body that produces an inward deformation of the front ferrule 42may also be used to produce an inward camming of the resilient legs ofthe protuberance of the ferrule holding arbor thereby to permit either asingle ferrule or a pair of ferrules to be dispensed from the ferruleholding arbor into the fitting body.

The preferred embodiment of this invention has been described withreference to the twin ferrule design of the tube coupling of HG. l.Equally within the scope of this invention should be considered ferrulesfor tube couplings of the single ferrule design. Applicants ferruleholding arbor is suitable for any type of ferrule design and should notbe considered as limited to the design shown in FIG. 1. Similarly,Applicants method of dispensing the ferrules from a ferrule holdingarbor may be used with any coupling body employing a camming mouth andshould not be considered as limited to the coupling body as shown inFIG. I.

For ease of description, the principles of the invention have been setforth in connection with but a single illustrated embodiment. It is notour intention that the illustrated embodiment nor the terminologyemployed in describing it be limiting inasmuch as variations may be madewithout departing from the spirit of the invention. Rather, we desire tobe restricted only by the scope of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

l. An apparatus for use in the make-up of a tube fitting of the typewherein a plurality of diverse and cooperating generally annular tubefitting elements are assembled in coaxial relation in a particularsequence, and in a particular orientation with respect to the cammingmouth of a fitting body, the leading element having a forwardly directedgenerally tapered nose portion adapted to cooperate with the cammingmouth of a fitting body while each trailing element is adapted tocooperate with the element immediately ahead of such trailing elementwhen assembled in a tube fitting, such apparatus comprising incombination;

an elongated shaft;

a plurality of identical groups of generally annular tube fittingelements retained in coaxial relation on said shaft;

said shaft having an outside dimension slightly less than the insidedimension of the tube fitting elements received thereon;

abutment means at one end of said shaft to limit movement of said tubefitting elements in a first direction;

constrictable head means at the opposite end of said shaft to limitmovement of said tube fitting elements in a second direction;

said constrictable head means being operable to permit a group of tubefitting elements to be passed over said head upon constricting said headmeans;

each identical group of tube fitting elements comprising at least twodiverse and cooperating generally annular tube fitting elements arrangedin a particular sequence relative to each other, and in a particularorientation relative to the camming mouth of the fitting body;

the lead element of the group having a forwardly directed generallytapered nose portion oriented to cooperate with the camming mouth of thefitting body as the group is removed from said shaft;

each trailing element in the group behind the lead element beingoriented and positioned in the group to cooperate with an elementimmediately ahead of such trailing element when the group of tubefitting elements is assembled in a tube fitting.

2. The invention of claim 1 in which said shaft is circular incross-section having a diameter less than the inside dimension of thetube fitting elements received thereon.

3. The invention of claim 1 in which said shaft is of cruciformcross-section being defined by a pair of intersecting web portions.

4. The invention of claim 3 in which said web portions include a taperedexternal end portion defining a camming surface.

5. The invention of claim 1 in which said means at one end of said shaftis defined as a fixed abutment integral with said shaft and having atransverse dimension exceeding the internal dimension of the tubefitting elements received on said shaft.

6. The invention of claim 1 in which said constrictable head means isdefined as a protuberance having a generally elliptical transversecross-section with a major and minor axis, the length of said minor axisbeing substantially equal to or less than the inside dimension of saidtube fitting elements and the length of said major axis being greaterthan the inside dimension of said tube fitting elements, at least oneelongated slot in said head parallel to said minor axis whereby saidhead may be constricted to thereby shorten the length of said major axisto permit passage of said group of tube fitting elements about saidhead.

'7. An apparatus for use in the make-up of a tube fitting of the typewherein a plurality of diverse and cooperating generally annular tubefitting elements are assembled in coaxial relation in a particularsequence, and in a particular orientation with respect to a fittingbody, the leading element having a forwardly directed generally taperednose-portion being adapted to cooperate with a camming mouth of afitting body while each trailing element is adapted to cooperate withthe element immediately ahead of such trailing element when assembled ina tube fitting, such apparatus comprising in combination:

an elongated shaft:

a plurality of identical groups of generally annular tube fittingelements retained in coaxial relation on said shaft;

said shaft having an outside dimension slightly less than the insidedimension of the tube fitting elements received thereon;

means on said shaft at one end of said shaft to limit movement of saidtube fitting elements in a first direction;

releasable locking means on said shaft at the other end of said shaft toselectively limit movement of said tube fitting elements in a seconddirection;

said releasable locking means being operable to permit 21 group of tubefitting elements to be removed from said shaft;

each identical group of tube fitting elements comprising at least twodiverse and cooperating generally annular tube fitting elements arrangedin a particular sequence relative to each other, and in a particularorientation relative to the camming mouth of the fitting body such thatthe lead element of the group is oriented to cooperate with the cammingmouth of the fitting body as the group is removed from said shaft andeach trailing element of the group behind the lead element is orientedand positioned to cooperate with the element immediately ahead of suchtrailing element when the group of tube fitting elements is assembled ina tube fitting.

1. An apparatus for use in the make-up of a tube fitting of the typewherein a plurality of diverse and cooperating generally annular tubefitting elements are assembled in coaxial relation in a particularsequence, and in a particular orientation with respect to the cammingmouth of a fitting body, the leading element having a forwardly directedgenerally tapered nose portion adapted to cooperate with the cammingmouth of a fitting body whilE each trailing element is adapted tocooperate with the element immediately ahead of such trailing elementwhen assembled in a tube fitting, such apparatus comprising incombination; an elongated shaft; a plurality of identical groups ofgenerally annular tube fitting elements retained in coaxial relation onsaid shaft; said shaft having an outside dimension slightly less thanthe inside dimension of the tube fitting elements received thereon;abutment means at one end of said shaft to limit movement of said tubefitting elements in a first direction; constrictable head means at theopposite end of said shaft to limit movement of said tube fittingelements in a second direction; said constrictable head means beingoperable to permit a group of tube fitting elements to be passed oversaid head upon constricting said head means; each identical group oftube fitting elements comprising at least two diverse and cooperatinggenerally annular tube fitting elements arranged in a particularsequence relative to each other, and in a particular orientationrelative to the camming mouth of the fitting body; the lead element ofthe group having a forwardly directed generally tapered nose portionoriented to cooperate with the camming mouth of the fitting body as thegroup is removed from said shaft; each trailing element in the groupbehind the lead element being oriented and positioned in the group tocooperate with an element immediately ahead of such trailing elementwhen the group of tube fitting elements is assembled in a tube fitting.2. The invention of claim 1 in which said shaft is circular incross-section having a diameter less than the inside dimension of thetube fitting elements received thereon.
 3. The invention of claim 1 inwhich said shaft is of cruciform cross-section being defined by a pairof intersecting web portions.
 4. The invention of claim 3 in which saidweb portions include a tapered external end portion defining a cammingsurface.
 5. The invention of claim 1 in which said means at one end ofsaid shaft is defined as a fixed abutment integral with said shaft andhaving a transverse dimension exceeding the internal dimension of thetube fitting elements received on said shaft.
 6. The invention of claim1 in which said constrictable head means is defined as a protuberancehaving a generally elliptical transverse cross-section with a major andminor axis, the length of said minor axis being substantially equal toor less than the inside dimension of said tube fitting elements and thelength of said major axis being greater than the inside dimension ofsaid tube fitting elements, at least one elongated slot in said headparallel to said minor axis whereby said head may be constricted tothereby shorten the length of said major axis to permit passage of saidgroup of tube fitting elements about said head.
 7. An apparatus for usein the make-up of a tube fitting of the type wherein a plurality ofdiverse and cooperating generally annular tube fitting elements areassembled in coaxial relation in a particular sequence, and in aparticular orientation with respect to a fitting body, the leadingelement having a forwardly directed generally tapered nose-portion beingadapted to cooperate with a camming mouth of a fitting body while eachtrailing element is adapted to cooperate with the element immediatelyahead of such trailing element when assembled in a tube fitting, suchapparatus comprising in combination: an elongated shaft: a plurality ofidentical groups of generally annular tube fitting elements retained incoaxial relation on said shaft; said shaft having an outside dimensionslightly less than the inside dimension of the tube fitting elementsreceived thereon; means on said shaft at one end of said shaft to limitmovement of said tube fitting elements in a first direction; releasablelocking means on said shaft at the other end of said shaft toselectively limit movemEnt of said tube fitting elements in a seconddirection; said releasable locking means being operable to permit agroup of tube fitting elements to be removed from said shaft; eachidentical group of tube fitting elements comprising at least two diverseand cooperating generally annular tube fitting elements arranged in aparticular sequence relative to each other, and in a particularorientation relative to the camming mouth of the fitting body such thatthe lead element of the group is oriented to cooperate with the cammingmouth of the fitting body as the group is removed from said shaft andeach trailing element of the group behind the lead element is orientedand positioned to cooperate with the element immediately ahead of suchtrailing element when the group of tube fitting elements is assembled ina tube fitting.